Jim Irsay: Odds Are Andrew Luck Won’t Play In Week 1

Colts owner Jim Irsay told reporters Thursday night following the team’s final preseason game that QB Andrew Luck won’t be available for Week 1’s game against the Rams.

“I would say, again, the odds are most likely he probably won’t open up against the Rams,” Irsay said, via the Indianapolis Star “but let me be clear about it – in our minds it’s something that we haven’t ruled out. We’re going to see where he’s at. It would be awesome (if he can play). We’re not talking Willis Reed or something like that. (Andrew) is a young guy, 12 to 14 to 16, maybe 18 years, I don’t know, going forward (with the Colts). The longer the better, in my opinion.”

According to Irsay, Luck’s timetable is up to the “football Gods.”

“It’s a great question, because it’s been said before by one of the greatest athletes and competitors who’ve played any sport – the quote was this: ‘These games, all games, are played on a four-inch field between your ears.’ That’s where it’s at,” Irsay said. “You have to be able to deal with this, not only physically, but mentally. I have no doubt that Andrew Luck, the person we know that he is, he’s going to come through this thing – and he and I have had long talks about it – not just as good as he was, but a better quarterback. When is the question. That timetable is gonna be more on, really, the football Gods and Andrew’s gut feeling on how he’s feeling.”

The Colts placed Luck on the active/physically unable to perform list to start training camp since he is still recovering from shoulder surgery. However, they have no plans to place him on the reserve/PUP list to open the season, which would cost him the first six games.

Instead, they’ll carry him on their active roster and go with Scott Tolzien for the time being.

Luck, 27, is a former first-round pick of the Colts back in 2012. He’s currently in the first year of his six-year, $139.125 million contract that includes $87 million guaranteed and is set to make a base salary of $12 million for the 2016 season.

In 2016, Luck has appeared in 15 games and thrown for 4,240 yards while completing 63.5 percent of his passes for 31 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 4 quarterback out of 36 qualifying players.

We’ll have more regarding Luck’s status as the news is available.